Tag Archives: clare west

The World’s First Freelance Programmer

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Words by Robbie Clark
Photography by Clare West

When Dame Stephanie Shirley founded the British software company F.I. Group in 1962, the young upstart was tackling not only a fledgling new programming industry, but also pioneering the workplace innovation of conducting business from home. And while the company did grow to become a multimillion-dollar organization due to Shirley’s profound grasp of mathematics, initial success came from a healthy dose of marketing and showmanship, if not outright deception.

Vera Buchthal

The success of Dame Shirley’s company F.I. Group (now called Xansa) is astonishing when seen through the prism of the time period―a female entrepreneur forming a math- and science-based startup in the 1960s from home, not a corporate office setting―but it is staggering against the backdrop of her youth.

Shirley, born Vera Buchthal, is from Germany, and in the savage months leading up to World War II was fortunate enough to escape the Nazi regime in her home country under an international relief program that placed children with foster parents in the United Kingdom.

In England, Shirley attended a little primary school in a convent. A nun recognized the bright student’s gift in math (or “maths,” as she put it) and recommended to Shirley’s foster parents that she transfer to a proper school for a more formal education. She was able to attend on a scholarship, but Shirley’s mathematical prowess quickly outpaced the female instructors, who did not put an emphasis on arithmetic. “For women in those days,” Shirley said, “biology was probably the only thing that was considered respectable for nice, young girls.”

Another option was available to Shirley, though a bit unorthodox. In pursuit of a better education, she transferred to an all boys’ schools which offered more intellectual stimulation in the way of mathematics. Attending a boys’ school, Shirley recognized, “was a lovely forerunner for the sexism of the workplace that I met later on.”

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Artist Profile: Clare West

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I think deep down I always knew that I would have a career in which I was creative. I never dreamed it would be photography. A degree in ceramics, numerous temporary office jobs, a year spent travelling, an adult education course in photography, a stint working for a photography studio and a teaching qualification later, I have finally landed in my happy place. I realized that I simply can’t not take photographs. I thrive on capturing people in an honest and true way so that the viewer sees them as they would if they were to sit and have a conversation with that person. I guess you could say I like to capture their essence as well as their presence.

The variety of things that my job allows me to photograph keeps me constantly interested and focused on producing the best work I possibly can in any given situation. It’s such a privilege to be invited into so many people’s lives; learn new things every day; encounter new cultures and thought processes and open myself up to new experiences.

To see more of Clare’s photos, subscribe to CAKE&WHISKEY magazine or purchase the single issue here.

Camelle Daley: The Clergy Couturiere

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Taboo Issue Topic: Religion
Words by Linnea Zielinski
Photography by Clare West

After finishing her degree at the London College of Fashion, Camelle threw herself entirely into the label she started with a family friend. For more than two years, she knew she was draining herself, taking on not only design but marketing and finances for the infant company. Gone were the university days when she had time to flex her creative muscles, to cut a pocket differently and just see where the design led her. It was only after the pending arrival of a second child that she found the impetus she needed to let go of the company that had swallowed her.

Despite the opportunity to rest her strained creativity, letting go of that first business wasn’t easy. She wasn’t just freeing up her time; she was losing her business mentor.

The transition was eased with a humble request. She was asked to design a clerical dress for a  recently ordained youth pastor who was excited by her new job but underwhelmed by the boxy clerical shirt. She hadn’t been wearing her collar. Desperate to reconcile style with career, she turned to her friend for help. It couldn’t be too fussy, so Camelle focused on making small design changes. People raved about the result, an elegant A-line dress. The positive reaction illustrated just how long women of the church had been ready for a change. Not everyone was happy, though, and many were quick to voice their disproval.

In spite of the controversy, Camelle’s clothing line for female members of the clergy, House of ilona, was launched.

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